Shown here are Non-Target CDs pressed in Japan for release in the U.S.

Carpenters The Singles 1969-1973 (A&M, catalog number CD-3601). This disc was pressed by Matsushita, as evidenced by the text “MADE BY MATSUSHITA ELECTRIC IND.CO.,LTD.” and the Technics logo stamped on the plastic ring. The matrix code is “3601 2”. This and other early Japanese pressings of The Singles 1969-1973 are highly desired because they have a rare single mix of “Yesterday Once More” and sped up versions of “Superstar”, “Rainy Days and Mondays”, and “Goodbye to Love”. Later U.S. pressings do not have these versions of the four songs. The inserts with this Matsushita pressing were printed in Japan, suggesting that it was a very early U.S. issue. This particular pressing is very rare.

Eagles Hotel California (Asylum, catalog number 103-2). This disc was pressed by Daio Kosan and is very rare. Note that it has “MADE IN JAPAN BY DAIO KOSAN CO., LTD.” printed along the perimeter. The matrix code is “18 H804-2A 103-2”. The red color scheme displayed by this disc is unusual for a CD on the Asylum label. There also exists a Japanese Sanyo pressing of Hotel California for the U.S. market with the more familiar yellow color scheme of Asylum CDs. The Sanyo pressing is considerably more common than the Daio Kosan pressing in my experience.

Vince Guaraldi Trio Jazz Impression of Black Orpheus (Fantasy, catalog number FCD-607-8089). This is a rare first issue pressed by the CTA plant. The matrix information is “FCD 607-8089 X-39 1A1 CTA CO.LTD.JAPAN”.

Orion The Hunter Orion The Hunter (Portrait (CBS/Sony), catalog number RK 39239). This is an extremely rare original CD issue from a band that was an off-shoot of Boston. The disc was pressed by CBS/Sony. It has “CSR COMPACT DISC” repeating in the plastic ring, and the matrix code is “DIDP-20111 11”. This version went out of print very quickly. A reissue on the Razor & Tie label is also out of print but considerably more common.

Elvis Presley Merry Christmas (RCA, catalog number PCD1-5301). This U.S. issue went out of print quickly and is very rare. The disc was pressed by Denon, and the matrix code is “PCD-15301 1A1-48”. The matrix code is stamped in a dot-matrix font that is a distinguishing feature of many Denon plant pressings.

Kenny Rogers Greatest Hits (Liberty/EMI, catalog number CDP 7 46004 2). The disc was pressed in Japan by Denon and is an early issue from the BMG mail-order music club. The statement “Mfd. for RCA Direct Marketing, Inc. under License” printed on the disc at 4 o’clock typically appeared on CDs and inserts issued by BMG. The catalog number does not appear on the disc, but it is printed on the cover of the booklet. Shown on the disc is the BMG stock number, 150019D. The matrix code is “D1-50019 1A3 75″. This disc is unique by virtue of the red text. The original West German Polygram pressing and subsequent U.S. pressings have black text.

Linda Ronstadt with Nelson Riddle & His Orchestra Lush Life (Asylum, catalog number 9 60387-2). This CD was pressed by the CTA plant and is unusual by virtue of the black coating. Japanese pressings of Asylum titles for the U.S. market as well as later U.S. pressings normally are found with no paint coating and black text. The matrix code for this pressing of Lush Life is “X-107 1A1”.

Stevie Wonder Songs in the Key of Life (Tamla, catalog number TCD06115TD-2). Shown is disc one of the two-disc set. This is a very rare first U.S. issue. The disc was pressed by CBS/Sony. It has “CSR COMPACT DISC” repeating in the plastic ring, and the matrix code is “DIDX-108 31”. Note that the DIDX number also appears beneath the catalog number at 3 o’clock. Disc two was also pressed by CBS/Sony and bears “DIDX-109”.